❖ ❖ ❖ 40
A few days later, in a tea room somewhere in the capital.
“So, you’re saying that for that one day, you’re going to rent out the entire clothing shop and invite people in?”
Vivienne was still sipping her tea.
The only difference now was that she was no longer alone at the tea table.
Members of high society were observing Vivienne, scanning her expression.
Vivienne nodded.
“Yes. According to imperial custom, a groom is not supposed to see the bride in her dress before the wedding. So I decided to invite everyone except my fiancé and show them myself in the dress.”
“That sounds wonderful. Whose idea was that?”
“My parents are extremely fond of their son-in-law. Since my fiancé cannot see me, they said it would be nice if others could see me and convey it to him.”
Vivienne spoke with a flawless smile.
“Also, it serves the purpose of announcing our families’ union, like during the New Year’s celebration or the engagement banquet. You’ll come, won’t you?”
“Oh my, of course! Naturally! I must attend. Finally, the young lady is getting married… I thought you’d never do it!”
Her lively words brought cheerful laughter to the table.
Vivienne wanted, as she once had, to naturally blend into this kind of atmosphere.
She wanted to feel proud that her parents had prepared such an expensive dress just for her.
But now she knew she could not. She was nothing more than a pawn for her parents. A pawn meant to fully convey to Edmund, who kept pressuring Ludvik, that they would never give their daughter to him.
Would it have been better not to know this?
Her deep crimson eyes swept over the teacup on the table.
Since when had her gaze, scanning herself, become so dull?
Vivienne looked up again at the people calling to her and answered their questions. About the corsage. About the flowers for the wedding bouquet. About the dress’s line.
When asked why she was rushing the marriage, she replied that it had taken twenty-three years to get this far, so surely waiting this long was enough. They all laughed.
Vivienne quietly sipped her tea, listening to the chatter.
Habitually, she muttered to herself:
‘I am happy because I am a noble. This is the life I wanted.’
And so, all the more, Edmund, I will not marry you.
Even if I am miserable, I will live outwardly as though I am happy, Vivienne steeled herself.
I will live perfectly, in full view of everyone.
